Hochul’s ‘tobacco-free’ New York built on taxes and bans
NYPIRG Executive Director Blair Horner discusses the governor's plan to increase cigarette taxes and ban flavored tobacco sales.
State lawmakers give themselves a $32,000 raise
NYPIRG Executive Director Blair Horner argues that state lawmakers shouldn't be responsible for setting their own salaries.
Being all that an ethics body can be
NYPIRG Executive Director Blair Horner identifies a wish list for the state's new ethics oversight body to implement.
State government watchdog poised for makeover
New York Public Interest Research Group Executive Director Blair Horner describes meaningful government oversight.
Skoufis and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Legislative Day
Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed seven bills on Thursday and they were all carried in the state senate by Orange County Democrat James Skoufis
Obscure, online tool sheds light on doctors’ records
The state updated its physician profile website, but many New Yorkers are still unaware it exists.
New York tightens smoking restrictions
A recently adopted state law would further limit where New Yorkers can smoke in government-owned parks.
Billing fossil fuel companies for climate change mitigation
Legislation at the Capitol would charge fossil fuel companies billions of dollars for their contributions to climate change.
Young voters: The 26th Amendment and beyond
June 1, 2021 - In recognition of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the amendment allowing all 18-year-old Americans to vote, NYPIRG Executive Director Blair Horner reflects on what the change meant for him and talks about ways to make
July 8, 2020: Checking up on New York’s public corruption watchdog
The Capitol Pressroom · July 8, 2020: Checking up on New York’s public corruption watchdog We got an update from Blair Horner and Russ Haven of NYPIRG on the state’s ethics organization, JCOPE as they move forward with the
